Don Carter State Park: Gainesville, Ga – Park Review

This review is part of the Lake Lanier Big Rig Project. Don Carter State park is one of the northernmost and newest parks on Lake Lanier. Opened in 2013, This is a very clean and nicely done park. With large paved roads and very nice camping sites. This is a state owned park that is a quandry. Overall facilities are very nice, but most if not all of the sites we saw did not have even a water view (Which is unusual considering it is on the lake.) If you are looking for a quiet nice park this may be the place for you. Personally I do not think we would go here. We may be missing something

RV Daily Rate as of June 1, 2016: $30 per day, No Weekly or Monthly rates

Other Discounts: No Discounts that I am aware of

Stay Limitations: You can only stay 14 days then you have to leave for 3 days and then you can come back for 14 more days.

Additional Information: Park reservations are not for a specific spot. You make a reservation for a type (length, power, etc) then you choose from what is available when you get to the park. Each spot has 30 and/or 50 amp, water and dump for GREY only. There is a dump station on premises for Black water. The park can definitely handle big rigs but different spots are more viable than others.

Site Details

Site Pad Material: Mostly Level sites with concrete pads

Water: Yes, included with daily rate

Electricity: Yes, included with daily rate. 30 amp or 50 amp

Sewer: Sort of. Spoke to the Attendant. Spots have sewer for “Light Grey Water” and there is a dump station on site

Laundry: Yes

Cable TV: Yes, comes with each site and Many of the sites have a good line up to the sky so satellite will work. This campground is remote so I would not expect much OTA

Wi-fi: No

Dump Station: Yes

Propane: No

Pull Throughs: Some

Back In: Some

Big Rig Friendly: Yes – most see sites below

Pet Friendly: Yes (very)

Additional Information: Most sites DO NOT have views of the water. There are hiking trails, a Beach, showers, restrooms and I understand you can rent kayaks. Note you make a reservation for a type of unit then choose based on availability once you get there.

Sites capable for Big Rig: Based on what we say these are the ones we believe can handle Big Rigs:

Sites: 5,11,15,17-20,22-26, 28-31, 34-38,40

Don Carter Sign

Don Carter – Campground Entrance

Don Carter Roads in Park

Don Carter Beach

Don Carter Boat

Don Carter Site 5

Don Carter Site 5 2nd Pic

Don Carter Site 11

Don Carter Site 15

Don Carter Site 17

Don Carter Site 18

Don Carter Site 19

Don Carter Site 20

Don Carter Site 22

Don Carter Site 23

Don Carter Site 24

Don Carter Site 25

Don Carter Site 26

Don Carter Site 28

Don Carter Site 29

Don Carter Site 30

Don Carter Site 31

Don Carter Site 34

Don Carter Site 35

Don Carter Site 36

Don Carter Site 37

Don Carter Site 38

Don Carter Site 39

Don Carter Site 40

Things to Do here.

Don Carter State Park is the northern most park on Lake Lanier. About 12 miles north of Downtown Gainesville. This remoteness limits what there is to do here but these would be our recommendations.

As mentioned before we have not stayed at this park. Just drove over and took pics for this review. But we have lived in the area 15+ years.

Restaurants

In Gainesville there are two restaurants that are worth the drive. Southern Recess Gastro Pub is an eclectic little bar right on the square with really good food. The Atlanta Seafood Market is an exceptional seafood restaurant for lunch in Little Mexico and we always go there when in Gainesville. Also good franchise is Olive Garden and a Cheddar’s (A very good franchise restaurant).

In Dawsonville there are plenty run of the mill restaurants but one is the exception. The Blue Bicycle is a high end dinner epicurean delight that has very, very good entrees. No need to dress up but a very high end restaurant.

Things to Do

This is a remote campground on the lake so obviously plenty of lake things to do. You can rent a boat from Gainesville Marina or check out Boatbound – there are several listings out there as well. If you do go out on the lake the best restaurant is Fishtails and you do not want to miss Sunset Cove – a unique experience in itself.

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